When multimillionaire Alan Lorenz passed away in 2021, he left behind an impressive life story—a successful legal career, an unexpected pivot to the health and wellness industry, and a fortune estimated at over £18 million. What he didn’t leave behind? A well-thought-out, airtight estate plan. And that, unfortunately, is where the drama started.
Lorenz’s situation isn’t just gossip-column material. It’s a real-life example of how even smart, successful people can make major mistakes when they take shortcuts with estate planning. Trust me—if it can happen to him, it can happen to anyone.
A Verbal Agreement Isn’t a Legal Plan
Shortly before his death, Lorenz updated his will to leave everything to his partner, Sheila Caruana, whom he had recently entered into a civil partnership with. Seems simple, right? Well, not quite.
His three siblings are now claiming he made a verbal agreement with Sheila to split the estate with them after his passing—a sort of “secret trust” arrangement to reduce inheritance taxes while still taking care of everyone. But here’s the catch: none of that was written down. Now the case is tied up in court, and no one is walking away with peace of mind—or their full inheritance.
Why Cutting Corners Causes Conflict
If you’ve ever said, “They’ll know what I meant,” or “I trust them to do the right thing,” this case is your cautionary tale. Because when things aren’t written down and legally documented, here’s what can happen:
- Heirs may be unintentionally left out
- Wills can be contested, dragging families through expensive legal battles
- Relationships get damaged (sometimes beyond repair)
- Tax-saving “strategies” can blow up in your face
- And the estate itself shrinks because of all the time, money, and energy spent cleaning up the mess
The court’s job isn’t to guess what you meant. It’s to uphold what you wrote down. That’s why “good intentions” and side conversations don’t cut it.
What This Means for You
Whether you have millions or just want to make sure your home and savings go to the right people, there’s a better way to plan. Here’s what you can do to avoid a Lorenz-style disaster:
- Work with a qualified estate planning attorney (hi, that’s us!)
- Put your wishes into a formal will or trust, and keep them updated
- Be clear and detailed about your intentions
- Name alternate beneficiaries in case your first choices can’t serve
- And please, don’t rely on verbal agreements or informal “understandings.”
At Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law, we help families put solid plans in place—plans that stand up in court and keep families out of conflict. Because your legacy deserves more than guesswork.
Don’t Leave Your Legacy to Chance
Alan Lorenz’s story made headlines, but the lesson behind it is one that hits close to home: cutting corners in your estate plan doesn’t save you time or money—it costs your family both.
Let’s get your affairs in order before life throws a curveball. It’s easier than you think, and your future self (and your family) will thank you.
Ready to take the first step?
Request a Consultation with Norton Estate Planning & Elder Law today. We’ll make sure your wishes are known—and honored.
